# Homicide and extortion investigation in Minas Gerais

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/homicide-and-extortion-investigation-in-minas-gerais
> Updated: 2026-09-01T00:18:27.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

The Civil Police of Minas Gerais are investigating the death of 69-year-old Ramona Irene Cuevas Martinez, whose carbonized body was discovered in a shallow grave in Jaíba.

Authorities have arrested three men, aged 23, 25, and 53, in connection with the case. Preliminary reports indicate that Martinez was kidnapped and subjected to violence and threats to force her into taking a R$ 32,000 bank loan. Investigators used bank movements to track the suspects after Martinez disappeared on August 17, as the funds were allegedly transferred to the suspects' own accounts.

One suspect reportedly stated that Martinez was strangled and struck in the back of the head with an axe. The suspects are currently in custody facing charges related to the concealment of a corpse.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-01: Minas Gerais police investigate death of woman forced to take R$ 32,000 loan

Minas Gerais police arrested three men suspected of killing 69-year-old Ramona Irene Cuevas Martinez after forcing her to take out a R$ 32,000 loan.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/minas-gerais-police-investigate-death-of-woman-forced-to-take-r-32000-loan

### 2026-08-26: Woman arrested in Minas Gerais for staging fake kidnapping

A 40-year-old woman in Minas Gerais, Brazil, was arrested for staging her own kidnapping to demand a R$ 14,000 ransom from her family to pay off debts.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/woman-arrested-in-minas-gerais-for-staging-fake-kidnapping

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Cite as: Homicide and extortion investigation in Minas Gerais. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/homicide-and-extortion-investigation-in-minas-gerais